BURLINGTON — The Vermont Health Department is urging people to take precautions against mosquito-borne illnesses by avoiding bites that can spread illnesses such as eastern equine encephalitis or West Nile virus.

Human illnesses from mosquito-borne illnesses are rare, but last year two Vermonters died of EEE and three were sickened with West Nile.

Some suggestions from the health department include, when possible, wearing long sleeves and pants and avoiding outdoor activities at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.

People should reduce mosquito breeding habitats by getting rid of standing water, such as in rain gutters, wading pools and old tires.

And people who are outside when mosquitoes are biting should use an effective insect repellent that has been deemed safe by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.